India’s media and entertainment (M&E) startup ecosystem has entered a new phase of evolution. Wavex 2025, launched under the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), brought together the most promising entrepreneurs and a wave of eager investors. With an overwhelming response, the platform has positioned itself as a game-changer for M&E innovation in India.
Ashutosh Mohle, Joint Director at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), opened the summit with a bold and forward-thinking message. He described Wavex’s national vision to back emerging startups in the M&E domain and accelerate their growth using an ecosystem-based approach. Mohle called on government agencies, private stakeholders, and investors to align their efforts in nurturing innovation at the grassroots.
Overwhelming Response Reflects Growing Interest
The enthusiasm from entrepreneurs proved electric. Over 1,000 startups applied to participate in Wavex 2025. The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IMAI) played a central role in managing the screening and engagement process.
Sandeep Jhingran, Chief Growth Officer at IMAI, expressed satisfaction with the initiative’s traction. “Thirty startups pitched directly to investors. Over half of them are already in active conversations,” he revealed. These numbers mark a significant shift in how the industry views early-stage M&E ventures—not just as content creators, but as viable, high-growth businesses.
Startups working on AI-powered content curation, AR/VR storytelling, creator monetization, digital wellness, regional OTT platforms, and even fan-based engagement models came to the forefront. Each one brought a distinct solution to pressing challenges in the M&E space.
Investors Signal a Shift in Focus
Rajesh Joshi, partner at Warmup Ventures, provided clear insight into the investor mindset. A former founder himself, Joshi now scouts innovative ideas in the M&E domain. “Life has come a full circle. We are now speaking with 11 startups,” he shared, highlighting how investor attention is shifting toward non-traditional, content-driven innovation.
Joshi pointed to Giggle, an anti-cyberbullying mobile app, as a standout from the cohort. “It’s not just another app; it balances user engagement with ethical design. That’s what we’re looking for—responsible innovation,” he added.
Investors this year brought more than just funds. They offered mentorship, industry connections, and operational insights. Wavex curated one-on-one pitching sessions across two days, allowing selected startups to present their vision directly to decision-makers in venture capital and corporate partnerships.
Bridging Monetization Gaps for Content Creators
Among the major themes at Wavex 2025, monetization for digital creators stood out. Despite India’s booming creator economy, many influencers and small-scale content producers continue to struggle with sustainable income models.
Harnesswala, one of the panel moderators and a digital media strategist, emphasized this concern. “We need better tools for monetization. Platforms like Wavex provide the visibility and strategic insight startups need to build those tools,” he said. Harnesswala encouraged founders to prioritize business fundamentals alongside creative outputs.
Several startups responded to this call. From ad-tech innovations to blockchain-powered rights management, the pitches reflected maturity and market readiness. Many ideas focused on enabling tier-2 and tier-3 creators to generate revenue through vernacular content, live streaming, and subscription-based models.
Diversity and Representation: Progress with Caution
Wavex 2025 attracted attention not just for its business potential but also for its conversation on inclusivity. When asked about gender representation, Sandeep Jhingran admitted the imbalance in the current cohort. “We are committed to doing better. In future editions, we hope to see more women entrepreneurs entering this space,” he stated.
Though women-led startups remained underrepresented this year, the organizers acknowledged the need for dedicated outreach and support structures. Several investors expressed interest in supporting women founders, and some suggested launching a parallel track within Wavex exclusively for women-led M&E ventures.
National Vision Meets Startup Innovation
By aligning with India’s larger goals of Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, Wavex positioned itself as more than a startup pitch event. It became a launchpad for homegrown innovation capable of scaling both domestically and globally.
Ashutosh Mohle called on stakeholders to integrate policy, technology, and creative capital. “We must treat media and entertainment startups as central to our innovation economy,” he asserted. His message emphasized a multi-stakeholder collaboration model, where government institutions offer regulatory clarity, private investors supply risk capital, and industry veterans mentor the next generation of media tech leaders.
Startup Spotlight: Ideas That Stood Out
While every startup added value to the summit, a few captured exceptional attention:
- Giggle: This anti-cyberbullying app uses real-time moderation and community-led reporting to create a safer digital space. Investors praised its ethical foundation and user-centric design.
- Reelonomics: A fintech platform for content creators, this startup offers real-time royalty tracking, brand campaign invoicing, and micro-financing solutions for creators with irregular income streams.
- SpokenVerse: A regional audio platform promoting Indian dialects and folk stories through podcasts and interactive audio dramas. The platform aims to revive interest in indigenous storytelling while offering scalable revenue models.
These startups didn’t just offer tech—they brought cultural relevance and social consciousness into the equation, making them more than just commercial ventures.
Wavex 2025 Sets the Stage for the Future
The energy at Wavex 2025 confirmed a major shift in how India views media and entertainment entrepreneurship. From content moderation and monetization to localization and innovation in storytelling, the startup ecosystem is building solutions for a fast-changing digital audience.
With over a thousand applicants, thirty curated pitches, and a strong network of active investor conversations, Wavex has ignited a spark that could transform India into a global powerhouse for M&E startups.
Startups now need to maintain momentum, refine their business models, and continue building responsible, scalable innovations. Meanwhile, platforms like Wavex must evolve to offer follow-on support, regional chapters, and access to global markets.
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Wavex 2025, India’s premier M&E startup platform under WAVES, saw 1,000+ applications and 30 direct investor pitches. The event showcased startups focused on content monetization, digital safety, and storytelling innovation.